|
This retrospective study evaluated possible rupture of silicone gel breast implants in 92 patients. The series included patients undergone augmentation mammoplasty(n=59), and reconstructive mammoplasty(n=23) from Sep. 1993 to Aug. 1996. The age of implants ranged from 4 months to 8years(mean:23.1months). Of these, 19 cases displayed Ultrasonographic sings of rupture. Of 13 implants removed, 7 were intact and 6 were ruptured.
Implant contour deformities and radial folds are often seen in both ruptured and intact silicone implants and therefore cannot serve as reliable signs of rupture. A stepladder sign in intact implant is believed to be the result of reverberation artifacts within the interior of the implant. Due to these false-positive ultrasonographic findings, ultrasonography is not an absolutely reliable tool for the diagnosis of implant rupture. Alternative imaging methods(CT, MRI) are required to establish an accurate preoperative diagnosis.
|